Fantasy Football

Week 2 studs and duds

Dud - DeMarco Murray vs SEA

Seattle is not an easy place to play. After beating the Giants to officially kick off the regular season, the Cowboys were a shoo in for the Super Bowl. About that. The Seahawks' defense remains one of the most underrated in the league and DeMarco Murray learned it this afternoon. The running back was held to 44 yards on 12 carries, which is one of his worst performances since he took over as the starter last season. - Ryan Fowler Don't forget to nominate YOUR fantasy football stud and dud for Week 2! Hit me up on Twitter with you "People's Choice vote". I'll post the winner/loser on Tuesday. >>> Read Harmon's Week 2 Red Zone Targets and Touches

Studs and Duds - Week 2

File this image under "a picture's worth a thousand words ..." and 4.2 fantasy points. Jay Cutler's offensive line let him down once again allowing seven sacks (I've seen that movie before), but to throw four interceptions against the same secondary Alex Smith cut up four days prior, is one of those head scratchers I can't explain. When Brandon Marshall dropped that pass in the endzone, owners had to realize that it wasn't their night. The "duds" didn't end there as we learned on Sunday ... - Ryan Fowler

Dud - Darren McFadden vs MIA

From conversations on Twitter and during my Sunday night chat, Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden have owners pulling their hair out, to put it politely. Run DMC has posted the following stats through two games: 26 carries for 54 yards. Yuck. The problem remains that owners can't sell with his value this low unless they are comfortable selling for 75 cents (or lower) on the dollar for a player that wasn't drafted in the first/second round. It's not time yet and owners should bite the bullet and ride the DMC train for a few more weeks - as crazy as it may be. - Ryan Fowler

Stud - C.J. Spiller vs KC

My "start of the week" for Week 2 erupted on Sunday versus the Chiefs. Spiller, starting in place of injured Fred Jackson, could not be stopped in the first half. He finished with 170 total yards with two touchdowns as he continues to make F-Jax owners nervous with his explosive play. He's a must-start in all formats moving forward. - Ryan Fowler >>> Read Harmon's Week 2 Red Zone Targets and Touches

Stud - Trent Richardson vs CIN

I admit when I'm right, I'm about to admit when I was wrong. No way did I see Trent Richardson's second start playing out like this, but considering the past offensive shootouts the Bengals and Browns have participated in, perhaps I should have read the tea leaves. TRich finished with 145 total yards and two touchdowns as we learned the Bengals defense is worse than we thought. - Ryan Fowler >>> Read Harmon's Week 2 Red Zone Targets and Touches

Dud - Joe Flacco vs PHI

I tried to warn all fantasy owners of the Joe Flacco letdown after a great game. He's done it before, he'll do it again. Flacco threw for nearly 300 yards against the Bengals last Monday night, but followed that up with 232 passing yards (respectable), a touchdown pass (eh) and two turnovers (-4, not good). When you add it all up, Flacco provided owners with 11.3 fantasy points. Ouch. - Ryan Fowler

Stud - Reggie Bush vs OAK

Has Reggie Bush emerged as a viable RB1 in fantasy football? In PPR leagues, yes. In standard scoring leagues, I'm a little concerned because he's the main source of offense for the Dolphins and, because of that weakness, opposing defenses will start to load up against him and make Week 2 performances - 26 carries, 172 yards and two touchdowns - difficult. The Raiders rush defense isn't anything to rant and/or rave about, but Bush has certainly overachieved in fantasy circles the first two weeks and is a must-start versus the Jets next week. - Ryan Fowler >>> Read Harmon's Week 2 Red Zone Targets and Touches

Dud - Jamaal Charles vs BUF

Here's one of those "woosa" moments in fantasy football. I'm a Jamaal Charles owner and I'd be lying if I wasn't a little concerned. With the ball inside the Buffalo Bills' five-yard line, Charles wasn't in the backfield, but on the sidelines holding his helmet. A few reports saw him on the exercise bike during the game. He finished with 22 total yards (three rushing). Still, you can't sell now unless you want 50 cents on the dollar for your first-and-or-second round draft pick. We'll have to ride out this storm together. Woosa. - Ryan Fowler

Stud - Danny Amendola vs WAS

I've reached out to John Halpin for an apology after I drafted Danny Amendola "early" (paraphrasing and purely subjective) in one of our experts drafts. After fumbling early in the first quarter, Amendola made up for the mistake in a major way. He caught 15 balls (15 points in PPR leagues) for 160 yards (16 points in standard scoring leagues) with a touchdown (six more points). He tied a NFL record with 12 first-half receptions. In PPR leagues, he outscored Eli Manning who threw for over 500 yards in Week 2. Sam Bradford has a man crush on this guy. Try to work him into your lineup, especially in PPR leagues, every single week. - Ryan Fowler >>> Read Harmon's Week 2 Red Zone Targets and Touches

Stud - Cam Newton vs NO

To steal a great line from the movie Swingers, Cam Newton is "nothing, but smiles" this week after a bounce back fantasy performance against the Saints. Oh yeah, the Panthers won, too. So much for the sophomore slump conversation as Newton rushed for 71 yards with 253 passing yards and two touchdowns (1 rush). He did fumble once, which was originally blamed on Mike Tolbert, but later reversed in the final box score. Still, 27 fantasy points, on average, is a great week-over-week improvement from the miserable display against Tampa Bay. - Ryan Fowler

Stud - Cruz/Nicks/Eli vs TB

Raise your hand if you were one of those owners who panicked after Victor Cruz's first game where he dropped three passes. I know you are out there because I received dozens of emails ready to sell, sell, sell on the Salsa King. Seems those hands are a-okay if he can haul in 11 balls (17 targets!) for 179 yards and a touchdown. Hakeem Nicks, who was basically a game-time decision, trumped Cruz with 10 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown. Eli Manning played poorly in the first half (three picks), but finished with 510 passing yards with three touchdowns. You don't see 25-point fourth quarters that often. Good times. - Ryan Fowler